All screenplays on the simplyscripts.com and simplyscripts.net domain are copyrighted to their respective authors. All rights reserved. This screenplaymay not be used or reproduced for any purpose including educational purposes without the expressed written permission of the author.
I've seen a lot of people put this on their title pages, but the wording seems to vary from writer to writer. What are the important points to include when writing it and what kind of legal effect does it have?
"I remember a time of chaos. Ruined dreams. This wasted land. But most of all, I remember The Road Warrior. The man we called 'Max'."
Personally, I never add that to any of my title pages, why? it's automatically protected by copyright from the moment you write it down. But if you prefer... here's the most common way.
-- Begin your copyright notice with the letter "c" in lower case. Enclose the letter in parentheses as follows: (c). Alternately, you can spell out the world "Copyright" or write the letter "c" with a circle around it.
-- Put a blank space after the copyright symbol or word. Following the blank space, add the current year in numerals, such as "2013."
-- Add a space after the year and then type your legal name or the name of the entity claiming the copyright. Your final copyright notice should appear similar to the following: (c) 2013 Bobby Carter.
-- Add a co-author's name in your copyright notice, if you collaborated on the work with another person. Your co-author's name should follow your name.
-- Append the words "All Rights Reserved" to the copyright notice, if desired. Even this is no longer required, not to mention, it holds no legal weight, but it is still used.
Well, it's true that a script is automatically copywritten/protected - so I'll agree with both Bert and Ghost there. And it's also true that putting "copyright" on the title page of a script can sometimes look amateurish... (At least, if you're sending it to the bigger studios.)
BUT - my view is that it's yet another level of psychological protection if/when you post a script on a site like Simplyscripts. Because the type of person who would steal a script is ALSO the type of person who will argue "I thought they were free to take...there's no copyright on this!" (Which I've seen happen.)
You'll note - there's a blurb on the submission page for SS, stating that a copyright notice is strongly recommended. I believe there's one on Stage 32 and Talentville, too....
I usually just leave my email address at the bottom. Lately thouigh, I've been adding that "This screenplay may not be used or reproduced without the express written consent of the author" attachment.
Might just go back to "Copyright (C) 2013".
Most important thing to have on any script you put ONLINE is "Copyright (C)", otherwise, someone might take it and use it as their own thing.
When pitching a script/sending one to a studio, just remove the (C) and leave your email on it.
At a pitchfest I went to last spring, someone asked the discussion panel about that. They essentially said that they don't care about copyright 2013 on the title page.
I don't this applies to my shit is copyrighted. any use or duplication of it without my motherfuckin' permission will result in me opening a super-sized can of whoop-ass all over you, biyotch...
or whatever that line is prohibiting use without permission.
Although, putting a date may be counterproductive, if the script's more than a year old (that would fairly, or unfairly, send a message that it's an old script that no-one wants....)
if you originally copyrighted a script (via the LoC) in 2006, you can always update the copyright on your title page by saying copyright 2013. The only time this becomes a problem is when you make major changes in your script.
I've seen a lot of people put this on their title pages, but the wording seems to vary from writer to writer. What are the important points to include when writing it and what kind of legal effect does it have?
Dan,
The rule of thumb when submitting scripts to producers and such is that you don't put copyright info on your script.
HOWEVER, if you submit a script to SimplyScripts to he hosted, I prefer that a full blown copyright statement be included because a number of works have been produced by students who mistakenly think the works on the site are in the public domain.
HOWEVER, if you submit a script to SimplyScripts to he hosted, I prefer that a full blown copyright statement be included because a number of works have been produced by students who mistakenly think the works on the site are in the public domain.
You'd think the instructors would bring up copyright infringement on the FIRST DAY of class. But no....
The rule of thumb when submitting scripts to producers and such is that you don't put copyright info on your script.
As stated, copyright is automatic. It's unusual to have a dispute re. copyright.
If there is a dispute, your only concern is establishing proof. There's methods of obtaining proof (script-vault etc.), which will give you the number that Bert is referring to. No need to include that on the script as the script does not dispute the copyright, only you or another party would do that.
I like to writer that included in his Copyright statement that no part of his work could be discussed in public without expressed written permission or face criminal charges.
You can bet that script sank to the bottom pretty quick...